Ask Fashion Girl

Dear Erika:

It's great that you're getting a start now if you want a custom-made dress. You will want to get referrals for dressmakers in your area from people who have used them in the past and been happy with the results. For ideas of what to have made, you can look in the pattern books that are at the fabric stores. There are some great sewing patterns for dresses that can be easily modified to a unique style that no one else has, and your choice of fabric will further separate you from the pack!

Another good thing to do is get a bunch of old and new fashion and celebrity magazines and start cutting out pictures of different dresses that you like. You might not like the whole dress, but it might be a sleeve here or a neckline there that really excites you. It might be the fabric or color or something about it. Make a file, a posterboard, or a scrapbook of all your dress ideas so that when you find a dressmaker, you can show her what your ideas are rather than trying to explain them to her in words, which are not as accurate as a picture. This will really help you when it comes time to have your dress made.

The more research and preparation you do beforehand, the happier you=EDll be with the result. Good luck designing the dress of your dreams, and have a great time at Prom!

Sincerely, Fashion Girl